VR Tech Times

Royal Enfield has announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility along with a vendor park in Andhra Pradesh. The Chennai-based manufacturer has operated exclusively out of Tamil Nadu since starting production there in 1955, making this a significant shift in its manufacturing operations. Rs 2,200 crore investment for new facility in Andhra Pradesh New plant to add 9 lakh units to annual production capacity Expected to create 5,000 direct and indirect jobs Royal Enfield Andhra Pradesh plant details This will be the brand’s first plant in India outside Tamil Nadu The facility will span 276 acres across Vanelluru and Rallakuppam villages in the Satyavedu area of Tirupati district. The project has received approval from the Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board. Development will take place in two phases. The first phase will include a vendor park, targeted for completion by 2029, while full operational capacity is expected by 2032. Once complete, the new plant will in...

Audi has recreated the legendary Auto Union Lucca, a streamlined record-breaking car from the 1930s that once held the title of the world’s fastest road racing car. The recreated Rennlimousine (racing sedan) will make its public debut in early May in Lucca, the same Italian city where the original road racer set a flying-start mile speed record in February 1935. 1935 Lucca achieved a top speed of nearly 327kph Restoration took over three years to complete The recreated Lucca has a larger and more powerful V16 engine The story of the Auto Union Lucca Driven by German racing driver Hans Stuck, the original Auto Union Lucca achieved an average speed of 320.267kph over a flying-start mile on a straight section of a motorway near the city of Lucca in Italy. The road racer also recorded a measured top speed of 326.975kph, making it one of the fastest racing machines of its era. The Lucca was developed during a fierce rivalry between Auto Union (Audi's direct predecessor) and Mercedes-B...

Aprilia has quietly discontinued the SXR 125 and SXR 160 maxi-scooters. Additionally, it has pulled the plug on the SR 160, which has been replaced by the SR 175 . While these models have been axed for some time, the brand never formally announced this. SR 175, which replaced SR 160, features an uprated engine The SXR was the brand’s maxi-scooter range The SXR range came with a 12-inch wheel setup Aprilia SXR range discontinued: The SXR range featured distinct bodywork with a 12-inch wheel setup. While the SR 160 has long been dropped from the line-up, the brand never formally announced its discontinuation. It has now been replaced by the more powerful, higher-displacement SR 175, which features an uprated engine and a TFT dash shared with the 457 range, while retaining familiar styling for the LED headlight and tail-light. Piaggio India did not formally disclose the SR 175’s launch either. However, it did announce the launch of the SR 175 GP-Replica edition in September. However, w...

The Bajaj Chetak has crossed the 7 lakh cumulative sales milestone in India, becoming only the third electric two-wheeler brand to achieve the feat after Ola Electric and TVS Motor Company. Bajaj Chetak sales currently stand at 7,27,779 units FY2026 sales rose 25 percent to 2,98,436 units  Bajaj held a 22 percent share of India’s e-scooter market in early FY2027 Bajaj Chetak sales growth explained 79 percent of total sales came in the last two years According to Vahan data, cumulative retail sales of the Bajaj Chetak between FY2021 and May 6, 2026 stand at 7,27,779 units. Of this, nearly 5,77,023 units have been sold since FY2025, highlighting the sharp rise in demand over the last two years. While the Chetak had a relatively slow start in its initial years, volumes rose significantly in FY2025, when Bajaj Auto sold 2,39,087 units, up 114 percent over FY2024’s 1,11,713 units. This helped the brand become the third-largest electric two-wheeler OEM in the country during the fiscal ...

Maruti Suzuki is offering a host of benefits on its Arena line-up, excluding the Dzire and Ertiga, in May 2026. These include consumer offers, exchange or scrappage bonuses and institutional benefits, depending on the model and variant. This month, the highest savings can be availed on the Victoris, while models such as the Brezza, Wagon R, Alto K10, Swift and Celerio are also available with notable offers.  Here is how much you could save on a new car from Maruti’s Arena portfolio in May 2026. Disclaimer: Offers may vary by city and are subject to stock availability. Check with your nearest dealer for exact details. Maruti Victoris discounts in May 2026 Up to Rs 70,000 The Victoris is available with benefits of up to Rs 70,000 on CNG variants, while petrol and hybrid variants get lower offers of up to Rs 50,000. These include exchange or scrappage bonuses that go up to Rs 60,000 for CNG trims and up to Rs 40,000 for petrol and hybrid variants, along with a Rs 10,000 institution...

Skoda has rolled out several benefits on its line-up, including the Kushaq facelift, Kodiaq, Slavia and Kylaq in May 2026. These offers comprise cash discounts, loyalty/corporate benefits and exchange bonuses.  Disclaimer : Discounts vary from city to city and are subject to stock availability. Check with your local dealership for exact figures.  Skoda Kushaq offers in May 2026 Benefits of up to Rs 3 lakh  The  Kushaq facelift is available with benefits of up to Rs 40,000. These comprise an exchange bonus of up to Rs 20,000 and a corporate/loyalty benefit of up to Rs 20,000. With prices ranging from Rs 10.69 lakh to Rs 18.99 lakh, this midsize SUV rivals the  Volkswagen Taigun ,  Hyundai Creta ,  Kia Seltos ,  Maruti’s Grand Vitara and  Victoris ,  Honda Elevate ,  Tata Sierra and  Renault Duster .  Like in April 2026, the MY25 and early MY26 units of the pre-facelift Kushaq are available with higher benefits of up to...

Harley-Davidson has revealed details of its ‘Back to Bricks’ strategy alongside its first-quarter financial results, offering the first glimpse of two new entry-level models – the upcoming Sprint and a revived air-cooled Sportster. Both motorcycles were shown as simple line drawings with limited details. Air-cooled Sportster returns after being discontinued in 2022 Expected to be based on 883cc Evolution engine Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 details The brand aims to position the revived Sportster 883 as a more accessible model The Sportster is one of the most iconic nameplates in Harley-Davidson’s lineup and remains its longest-running model family. The air-cooled Sportster was discontinued in 2022, largely due to stricter emission regulations, although the name lives on with the liquid-cooled Revolution Max-powered Harley-Davidson Sportster S. This announcement marks a return to the traditional air-cooled format, which is likely to resonate with long-time enthusiasts. While detailed ...

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has appointed Ashutosh Dixit as the new Brand Director of Porsche India with immediate effect. Dixit takes over from Manolito Vujicic, who has departed SAVWIPL to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Dixit previously held a leadership position at Porsche Middle East and Africa Dixit brings more than 28 years of experience (nearly two decades within the Volkswagen Group) to Porsche India’s Brand Director role. Prior to this appointment, Dixit served as the Market Development Director for Porsche Middle East and Africa, where he helped ideate initiatives for the Indian market. His experience also spans leadership roles across India, China, and Europe, with deep expertise in strategy, sales operations, and brand development. "India continues to offer strong potential and opportunities for Porsche, and there are exciting times ahead for the brand in this market. I am honoured to take on this role and build on the strong foundation e...

Yamaha Motor India has hiked prices for its R15 lineup, affecting all three variants—the Yamaha R15S, Yamaha R15 V4, and Yamaha R15M. The increase of Rs 4,900 is uniform across the range, with prices now starting at Rs 1.57 lakh for the R15S and going up to Rs 1.96 lakh for the R15M. Price increased by Rs 4,900 across all variants R15S now starts at Rs 1.57 lakh R15M now costs up to Rs 1.96 lakh Yamaha R15 price update The R15 range includes three variants – R15S, R15 V4, and R15M The R15S, which is essentially the previous-generation V3 with revised styling, a telescopic fork, and a stepped seat, is now priced at Rs 1.57 lakh, up from Rs 1.51 lakh. The R15 V4, which gets a USD fork and an up-only quickshifter on select variants, is now priced between Rs 1.71 lakh and Rs 1.76 lakh, compared to the earlier Rs 1.66 lakh to Rs 1.71 lakh range. The range-topping R15M, which adds a colour TFT display, standard quickshifter, and special MotoGP and R1M-inspired liveries, is now priced betwee...

India’s passenger vehicle market in FY2026 closed with sales of 47,05,056  units, up 8.4 percent year on year, with petrol continuing to account for the largest share at 47.48 percent. CNG remained the second most popular fuel at 21.98 percent, followed by diesel at 18.08 percent, while hybrids and EVs accounted for 8.21 percent and 4.25 percent respectively. Against this backdrop, the top-selling models across each fuel type highlight which cars drove volumes in petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid and electric segments through the year. Top petrol cars FY2026 Model FY2026 sales Market Share (%) Maruti Suzuki Swift 1,54,993 6.3 Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1,49,332 6.1 Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1,17,558 4.8 1. Maruti Suzuki Swift : 1,54,993 units The Swift is the highest-selling petrol car in FY2026, supported by Maruti Suzuki’s wide service network, along with its light controls, engaging handling and strong fuel efficiency. However, the engine lacks punch and pricing overlaps with the premium hatchba...

The Oben Rorr Evo is an affordable electric motorcycle aimed at buyers on-a-budget, but with styling and features that stand-out. Here are the key questions answered before you shortlist the Oben Rorr Evo. 1. What is the price of the Oben Rorr Evo? The Rorr Evo is introduced at Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom, India) for the initial batch of 10,000 customers, after which prices are expected to rise to around Rs 1.25 lakh. 2. What battery and range does the Oben Rorr Evo offer? It comes with a 3.4kWh LFP battery with a claimed IDC range of 180kms, however the brand says the real-world range could be 150kms. 3. What motor and performance figures does the Oben Rorr have? It has a 9kW Mid-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that the brand says has been developed in-house and doesn’t use any rare-earth magnet. It has a chain-type final drive with a wheel torque rating of 250Nm. 4. How fast can the Oben Rorr Evo charge? Oben claims a 0–80 percent of about 90 minutes using its proprietary wa...

Ather Energy has a busy 2026 planned with not just new products based on its upcoming EL platform but also production to be supported by a new factory, which will start operations before year-end. With its EL platform-based products Ather hopes to widen its addressable market, with the first model expected around the festive season of this year. Aurangabad  plant to have 5 lakh units p.a. capacity to begin with Rizta and 450 will continue to co-exist with upcoming Ather products EL platform based scooters will be easier and more affordable to produce   Ather's EL products coming by festive season Ather’s new plant is expected to start with a monthly capacity of about 42,000 units, adding to the company’s existing manufacturing base in Hosur as it prepares for the next phase of growth.  The EL platform marks a shift for Ather as it looks to enter lower price segments where it currently has no presence. “Our understanding is that the mass segment of Rs 1-1.25 lakh is the...

Temperatures during India’s summer season often exceed 45deg C. Sweltering levels of heat like such can take a toll on your car and give rise to trouble. Listed below are some crucial preventative measures you can take to prep your car for the Indian summer. Air conditioning Due diligence As your most vital line of defence against the heat, your car’s AC system must be checked and serviced (if needed) before summer fully kicks in. Check the refrigerant level, compressor belt, and vent quality. If cabin cooling is weak, low refrigerant or a clogged cabin filter is likely. Replace the cabin air filter on an annual basis to keep airflow strong and the evaporator clean. Run the AC for at least 5-10 minutes every two weeks to circulate oil through the compressor and avoid seal leaks. If the AC gas is low, a refill and leak check will be required, and you can even consider a professional AC servicing every two years or 30,000 km, whichever comes first. Battery care Heat adversely affects ba...

The Avenger lineup has seen multiple changes over the years, making it a bit hard to keep up with. Now, Bajaj Auto has quietly removed the Avenger 160 Street from its website and added the Avenger 220 Street, effectively signaling the end of the 160 platform in the Avenger range. Avenger 160 Street discontinued Avenger 220 Street returns after being discontinued in 2020 Will be based on the same platform as the 220 Cruise Bajaj Avenger 220 Street details The 220 Street and 220 Cruise are the only two Avenger models currently listed on the Bajaj website The Avenger 220 Street will use the same engine as the Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise. The 220cc, oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 19hp at 8,500rpm and 17.6Nm of torque at 7,000rpm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox. In comparison, the now-discontinued Avenger 160 Street used a 160.4cc single-cylinder motor producing 15hp and 13.7Nm. Bajaj has updated its website to include the Avenger 220 Street, but pricing is yet to be announced. Be...